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Time has Come for Canada's Health Care Action Plan says CMA

TORONTO, Feb. 28 /CNW/ - In a speech today at the Empire Club of Canada,
Canadian Medical Association (CMA) President Dr. Jeff Turnbull will
urge the federal government to take inspiration from its Economic Action Plan and develop a Canada Health Care Action Plan to avert the looming crisis that awaits patients and their families.

Dr. Turnbull will make the case that federal leadership is required
immediately to secure a sustainable future for Canada's health care
system, and will set out how Canadians can get their voices heard on
this important issue.

"As a federal election appears imminent, it will take political courage
to take this issue on. But the national consultation we have initiated
leaves no doubt that this is a priority for Canadians and ignoring
health care during an election campaign would be foolhardy," Dr.
Turnbull said.

Dr. Turnbull also said the creation of a Canada Health Care Action Plan would focus government leadership and action where it is needed most
right now: on the future of the health care system.

"When the global recession loomed, threatening our country's prosperity
and our citizen's well-being, the federal government leapt into action
creating Canada's Economic Action Plan," said Dr. Turnbull. "Today, Canadians are saying that health care is
as big a concern as the economy and they want action now."

The CMA's national dialogue on health care transformation, launched in
December, continues to gather the voices of Canadians on health care.
Through the www.healthcaretransformation.ca national dialogue website, and a series of public town hall meetings
occurring across the country Canadians continue to weigh in on what
they want from their health care system.

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is the national voice of Canadian
physicians. Founded in 1867, CMA's mission is to serve and unite the
physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with
the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health
care. The CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing
over 74,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and
territorial medical associations and 51 national medical organizations.